ECFA Week 1 Game Report:
OKLAHOMA
VS.
SYRACUSE
FIRST QUARTER
The teams traded punts before Syracuse mounted the first mini-drive, going 35 yards on 7 plays (helped by 20 yards in OU penalties) to kick a 32-yard field goal. The Orangemen got the ball rigth back on Smith's interception of Jones, and stuck it in the end zone 5 plays later when quarterback Nassib piled over from the 2. OU just entered Syracuse territory as the period ended.
SYRACUSE 10, OKLAHOMA 0.
SECOND QUARTER
The OU drive stalled at the 10, but a 27-yard field goal brought the Sooners back within 7. The Orangemen, however, then marched on an 11-play, 75-yard drive that took nearly 6 minutes, keyed by an OU roughing the passer play when a 3rd-down pass early in the drive fell incomplete. Bailey caught a 9-yard pass from Nassib for the culminating touchdown. After a Sooner punt, Syracuse added a 51-yard field goal to end the half.
SYRACUSE 20, OKLAHOMA 3.
THIRD QUARTER
It was more of the same to start for the Sooners, who punted on the half's first possession, then watched Syracuse march to its 31. But McFarland's interception seemed to turn the tide. A 27-yard completion from Jones to Murray would have had Oklahoma set up at the Syracuse 16, but Murray fumbled and lost it with 4:44 left. Syracuse had the ball the rest of the quarter.
SYRACUSE 20, OKLAHOMA 3.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Orangemen ran another 2:56 off the clock to start the period, kicking a 29-yard field goal to extend the lead. The drive went 72 yards in 15 plays, taking 7:40 off the clock. Impressive. But the Sooners rallied. Earning a first down on a Syracuse facemask penalty, Oklahoma cashed in on the next play, as Murray caught a pass and scampered 66 yards for a score. The extra point was missed, however. The teams traded punts, and Syracuse added another, giving OU a final chance with 2:39 left, 3 time outs, and down 14. But after a 22-yard completion to Murray, Jones was intercepted at the 43, and the game was basically over.
Final Score: Syracuse 23, Oklahoma 9.
Syracuse's offensive line and front 7 defensively for far too strong for Oklahoma to contend with. When OU could pass, only one receiver of 5 was getting open each play and that was usually a running back. It may be just that Syracuse was facing bad competition, but they looked very strong in this one.
Ed
